MANILA, Philippines - Multinational companies have expressed interest in Tanauan City, Batangas Rep. Nelson Collantes said. Collantes said such interest was sparked by infrastructure projects, new roads and the city’s strategic location relative to Metro Manila and the Batangas international port.
The new Toll Road 3 (TR3), which connects South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) to Star Tollway, also contributed to driving economic development in Tanauan City, he said.
“At the onset of SLEx-TR3 opening, several multinational companies have been expressing their interest on investing sizeable business facilities in Tanauan City,” Collantes added.
“Investors have already called me about land properties here. Multinational companies are now taking a second thorough look at the 3rd district of Batangas for possible investments,” he said.
The 3rd congressional district of Batangas province includes the city of Tanauan and the municipalities of Agoncillo, Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca,Laurel, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Santa Tere-sita, Santo Tomas, and Talisay.
“Companies which were previously discouraged are now convinced that it is now the best time to invest in Tanauan. The first exit of the Star Tollway going south leads to Tanauan, which makes the city strategically located in terms of transporting goods and services to Metro Manila from industrial centers in South Luzon,” Collantes said.
A number of new industrial and commercial amusement facilities are being established in the city and these are providing thousands of new employment for the people of Tanauan.
Tourism in Tanauan is also getting a boost because of improvements in transportation.
“People now find Tanauan more accessible than Tagaytay if you want to get an equally nice view of Taal lake. Travel time to Tanauan is now shorter compared to Tagaytay,” Collantes added.
With the opening of TR3, he said travel time from Calamba to Tanauan was cut from more than two hours to five to seven minutes.
“This situation previously irked investors and businesses have been affected because of the slowing pace of transport for goods and services. The heavy traffic also turned away tourists who choose to avoid wasting precious time in uncomfortable traffic when they travel to scenic spots in the Southern Tagalog region,” he said
To prepare the city for the influx of new businesses, Tanauan has been undertaking programs to improve literacy for the medium- and long-term expansion of its communities.
“Tanauan City and the whole of Batangas will benefit from new businesses that will sprout like mushrooms because of a world-class infrastructure that encourage investors. The entire Bicol region and Southern Tagalog region including Mindoro, Romblon, and Marinduque will benefit as well,” Collantes said.